Nick Stinnett, a dean at Pepperdine University, and John DeFrain, a professor at the University of Nebraska, conducted the largest survey of STRONG families ever conducted.  Over a period of ten years, they studied 3,000 families in the U.S. and abroad to discover WHAT MADE THEIR FAMILY LIFE REWARDING.  (If you had been a part of that survey what would you have answered?)  From their research they distilled the guiding principles and rules of conduct that result in strong, lasting, vital and affectionate families.  WHILE DOING THEIR RESEARCH THEY INCLUDED THE RESULTS OF A HARRIS POLL ASKING THE RESPONDENTS: “WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE?  NINETY-SIX PERCENT SAID THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE WAS TO HAVE A GOOD FAMILY.  A similar Gallup Poll found that eight of ten people said that family was one of the most important facets of their lives.

ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT GUIDING PRINCIPLES DISCOVERED BY STINNETT AND DeFRAIN, WHICH WAS VITAL TO A STRONG FAMILY, WAS THE PRINCIPLE OF COMMITMENT.

 WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMITMENTS FOR PUTTING FAMILY FIRST?

 I. THE COMMITMENT TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY.

1 Corinthians 13:1

1 Corinthians 13:13

Romans 5:6-8

Colossians 3:13-14

James 1:19-20

Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 12:25

II. THE COMMITMENT TO LIVE SACRIFICIALLY.

Mark 9:33-37

Philippians 2:4

Hebrews 12:2

III. THE COMMITMENT TO NURTURE STABILITY.

1 Corinthians 14:7-8

Psalm 1:1-3

Matthew 11:16-19

Putting family first is an act of living out one’s faith in Jesus Christ.  It is not life’s easiest job but it is life’s most important job.  Members of strong families are committed to loving unconditionally, living sacrificially and nurturing stability.

THIS WEEK:

1. What one person has shown me unconditional love?

2. What one thing can I do sacrificially for my family this week?

3. What one relational habit can I improve to provide stability for my family?

Giving people are cheerful people.  The cheerful giver is the open-hearted, open-handed giver.  Such people not only spread cheer and share joy, but they obviously know cheer and express joy.  “God loves a cheerful giver.”

Mercy is God’s redemptive patience in action.  He is not willing that any should perish but that all may come to repentance.  Mercy triumphs over judgment!

One of the greatest joys of the Christian life is the privilege of shaping our lives around God’s love for us.  It is in shaping our lives around His love that we experience a renewed desire to walk in obedience to His commands by loving others as God has loved us.